Liquor Laws

HAGERSTOWN -- Members of Washington County's liquor board are considering whether to discipline the Funkstown Moose for holding a public concert at the private club last month in what officials say was a violation of liquor laws. During a Wednesday hearing, Eric Andrews, the Moose's attorney, asked the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County for a continuance of the case because bad weather prevented Moose administrator Mike Stumbaugh from attending. Robert L. Everhart, liquor board chairman, denied the request, saying Moose officials canceled too many times in the past.

HAGERSTOWN - After a brief exchange that was at times heated, Washington County liquor officials and representatives of the Funkstown Moose on Wednesday appeared to agree to work toward establishing a more amicable relationship. The hearing started off with the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County and Mike Stumbaugh, administrator of the Funkstown Moose, lobbing allegations of misconduct at one another. "Don't start with us," liquor board Chairman Robert L. Everhart said as Stumbaugh declared that the "childish bickering" needed to stop.

Ordinance would ban BYOB activities The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to an ordinance prohibiting "bring your own alcohol" activities in restaurants, clubs, bars and other businesses in the city of Hagerstown. Without the ordinance, businesses potentially could violate the state's liquor laws by allowing people to bring their own liquor to a business, Planning Director Kathleen Maher said in a written staff report. The prohibition does not apply to businesses with a state liquor license.

By RICHARD BELISLE Staff Writer CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - State-run liquor stores, a Pennsylvania tradition since the demise of Prohibition, would come to an end if state lawmakers approve a plan to sell them off to private enterprise. There are five state-owned stores in Franklin County, including two in Chambersburg, and one in Fulton County. The Franklin County stores bring in about $3.5 million a year, according to Molly McGowan, spokeswoman for the state Liquor Control Board in Harrisburg, Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge will announce his plan this week, said gubernatorial aide David Kaszuba.

HAGERSTOWN ? The administrator of the Antietam Moose on Leitersburg Pike was reprimanded by Washington County liquor officials Wednesday for trying to plan a public party at the club. Moose administrator Mike Stumbaugh told the three members of the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County that the club needs to hold the Jan. 11 party to raise money. "It's a fundraiser," he said. "If we don't have them, (the Moose) is going to close down. " The Antietam Moose used to be in Funkstown, but recently relocated near the Long Meadow Shopping Center at 19330 Leitersburg Pike.

The beer will likely be flowing at the Western Maryland Blues Fest, despite a liquor licensing error. The Western Maryland Blues Fest is applying for the proper type of liquor license in time for its June 3 street festival in downtown Hagerstown. The festival had a "picnic" license to serve beer at the event. But organizers recently learned "picnic" licenses can only be issued for Sunday events; there is another type of license nonprofits can get to sell alcohol on other days of the week.

Because of an overlooked law, the Western Maryland Blues Fest has been granted the wrong type of liquor license for its June 3 music festival in downtown Hagerstown. cont. from front page It was unclear Wednesday whether the licensing mixup would prevent beer from being sold during the outdoor Blues Fest. For at least 10 years, the Washington County Liquor Board has been issuing "picnic" licenses to nonprofit groups holding special events no matter what day of the week.

HAGERSTOWN -- The Washington County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly is considering whether to introduce legislation that would make it easier for Maryland wineries to operate. On Wednesday, members of the delegation, the Board of (Liquor) License Commissioners for Washington County and Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association, met in downtown Hagerstown to discuss creating legislation that, if passed, would create a Class W license. Among other things, the license would allow wineries to serve food.

HAGERSTOWN ? The administrator of the Antietam Moose on Leitersburg Pike was reprimanded by Washington County liquor officials Wednesday for trying to plan a public party at the club. Moose administrator Mike Stumbaugh told the three members of the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County that the club needs to hold the Jan. 11 party to raise money. "It's a fundraiser," he said. "If we don't have them, (the Moose) is going to close down. " The Antietam Moose used to be in Funkstown, but recently relocated near the Long Meadow Shopping Center at 19330 Leitersburg Pike.

HAGERSTOWN -- The owners of Cancun Cantina on Dual Highway in Hagerstown were fined $2,500 earlier this week by the Washington County liquor board. The fine was levied in connection with events at the nightclub in July, when music was played too loud and police had to use pepper spray on disorderly patrons to restore order, said Robert L. Everhart, chairman of the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County, also known as the liquor board. In addition to the fine, Cancun Cantina was placed on probation for 60 days, and the managers have to present a plan to the liquor board showing the steps that will be taken to fix the problem, according to a letter that liquor officials drafted Wednesday.

The Washington County liquor board has fined a Funkstown tavern $1,000 for three violations of state liquor laws that occurred in January. The Board of License Commissioners for Washington County announced the fines against Joker's Bar & Grill at 2 W. Baltimore St. on April 27, following an April 13 hearing before the board. The largest fine was $500 for violating a provision that prohibits tampering with the contents of a container and possession of any containers that have been refilled, according to the board's order.

HAGERSTOWN -- The Washington County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly is considering whether to introduce legislation that would make it easier for Maryland wineries to operate. On Wednesday, members of the delegation, the Board of (Liquor) License Commissioners for Washington County and Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association, met in downtown Hagerstown to discuss creating legislation that, if passed, would create a Class W license. Among other things, the license would allow wineries to serve food.

HAGERSTOWN -- The owners of Cancun Cantina on Dual Highway in Hagerstown were fined $2,500 earlier this week by the Washington County liquor board. The fine was levied in connection with events at the nightclub in July, when music was played too loud and police had to use pepper spray on disorderly patrons to restore order, said Robert L. Everhart, chairman of the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County, also known as the liquor board. In addition to the fine, Cancun Cantina was placed on probation for 60 days, and the managers have to present a plan to the liquor board showing the steps that will be taken to fix the problem, according to a letter that liquor officials drafted Wednesday.

HAGERSTOWN - After a brief exchange that was at times heated, Washington County liquor officials and representatives of the Funkstown Moose on Wednesday appeared to agree to work toward establishing a more amicable relationship. The hearing started off with the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County and Mike Stumbaugh, administrator of the Funkstown Moose, lobbing allegations of misconduct at one another. "Don't start with us," liquor board Chairman Robert L. Everhart said as Stumbaugh declared that the "childish bickering" needed to stop.

HAGERSTOWN -- Members of Washington County's liquor board are considering whether to discipline the Funkstown Moose for holding a public concert at the private club last month in what officials say was a violation of liquor laws. During a Wednesday hearing, Eric Andrews, the Moose's attorney, asked the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County for a continuance of the case because bad weather prevented Moose administrator Mike Stumbaugh from attending. Robert L. Everhart, liquor board chairman, denied the request, saying Moose officials canceled too many times in the past.

HAGERSTOWN ? The administrator of the Antietam Moose on Leitersburg Pike was reprimanded by Washington County liquor officials Wednesday for trying to plan a public party at the club. Moose administrator Mike Stumbaugh told the three members of the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County that the club needs to hold the Jan. 11 party to raise money. "It's a fundraiser," he said. "If we don't have them, (the Moose) is going to close down. " The Antietam Moose used to be in Funkstown, but recently relocated near the Long Meadow Shopping Center at 19330 Leitersburg Pike.

HAGERSTOWN ? The administrator of the Antietam Moose on Leitersburg Pike was reprimanded by Washington County liquor officials Wednesday for trying to plan a public party at the club. Moose administrator Mike Stumbaugh told the three members of the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County that the club needs to hold the Jan. 11 party to raise money. "It's a fundraiser," he said. "If we don't have them, (the Moose) is going to close down. " The Antietam Moose used to be in Funkstown, but recently relocated near the Long Meadow Shopping Center at 19330 Leitersburg Pike.

Ordinance would ban BYOB activities The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to an ordinance prohibiting "bring your own alcohol" activities in restaurants, clubs, bars and other businesses in the city of Hagerstown. Without the ordinance, businesses potentially could violate the state's liquor laws by allowing people to bring their own liquor to a business, Planning Director Kathleen Maher said in a written staff report. The prohibition does not apply to businesses with a state liquor license.

Pressing ahead on backing up The 2001 legislative session is over and some very important things were accomplished. For example, fire engines can now use their flashing lights when they back into their stations. I know I'm sleeping easier at night. You might think 1.) why do we need a law for this? and 2.) it was illegal for fire engines to use their flashing lights when backing into their stations before? Well, you would be stupid, for of course we do and of course it was. Apparently some helpful citizen pointed out that it was unlawful for these trucks to use their lights unless they were headed to an actual emergency, such as an overheated toaster oven at Walnut Towers.

The beer will likely be flowing at the Western Maryland Blues Fest, despite a liquor licensing error. The Western Maryland Blues Fest is applying for the proper type of liquor license in time for its June 3 street festival in downtown Hagerstown. The festival had a "picnic" license to serve beer at the event. But organizers recently learned "picnic" licenses can only be issued for Sunday events; there is another type of license nonprofits can get to sell alcohol on other days of the week.